News
200 Persons Benefit From Rotary’s Medical Outreach
A total of 200 persons have benefited from Rotary’s Family Helath Days Outreach held at Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, Trans-Amadi, Port Harcourt.
Among the beneficiaries was 24-year-old Itoro Ime, who came with her baby.
“When I heard of the free medicals, I rushed down because I’ve been sick but didn’t have money to come. But through this programme, they gave me malaria drugs so I’m very happy. May God Bless you all”, Ime said, saying that she also received a free treated mosquito net for her 10 month old baby.
The three-day Rotary Family Health Days was done in partnership with the Federal and State Ministries of Health, Hepatitis Zero World Eradication Project, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and the Rotary Action Group for Family Health and AIDS Prevention, in collaboration with Rotary Clubs and Districts in Nigeria.
Rotary Family Health Days is a free health outreach by Rotary and her partners to provide basic health services free to indigent communities in line with their efforts at diseases prevention and treatment.
Site Coordinator for the 15 Rotary Clubs and two Rotaract Clubs who organised the outreach, Alhaji Abdulrasheed Shittu, said Rotary provided some drugs, lab reagents and medical personnel volunteers to offer free treatment to the people of Oginigba Community.
Rtn. Shittu, who is also the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express, said the three-day outreach, which started on World Polio Day on October 24, also celebrated Rotary’s efforts at eradicating Polio in the world.
“As part of our service to humanity we carry our medical outreach to our host communities about twice a year. The aim is to reach out to the less privileged in the community and attend to their health needs free of charge”, he said.
President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Metropolitan, Rtn Oghenero Emu, noted that the outreach targets those at the rural areas who do not have easy access to medical services so they can benefit.
President, Rotary Club of Rumuomasi, Rtn. Taiwo Olayeni, added that the outreach would help reduce maternal and child mortality as treated mosquito nets were given to nursing mothers while children were given deworming medicines among others to protect them.
Medical officer in charge of Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, Dr. Cecilia L. Nwibubasa, lauded the efforts of Rotarians in providing the free health outreach, saying it would encourage members of the community to access healthcare.
She observed that due to the present harsh economic climate, many did not seek health services for fear of the costs and encouraged Rotary to continue the health outreach more regularly.
“Health is wealth and this programme, I believe, would help everyone of us, both us at the facility and those in the community, because if you leave them to themselves, they would not come to hospital with their health complaints.
“But when they hear that there is a free medical outreach, you would see everybody turning out for it because they are getting the service free of charge”, she said.
Health services provided include Polio immunisation, malaria screening and treatment, HIV testing and counselling, diabetes, glucose level and hypertension screening, prostate cancer screening for men, vitamins A administration and deforming of children.
Other services provided include family planning, counselling and distribution of condoms, distribution of sanitary pads for girls, as well as distribution of treated mosquito nets and free eye tests.
For the President, Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Garden City, Rtn. Karina Igonikon, the excitement and response of the community was encouraging as they patiently waited to be attended to despite the heavy rains.
Rotary clubs that volunteered at the Model Primary Health Centre, Oginigba, include Rotary Club of Port Harcourt Express, Rotary Club of PH Downtown, Rotary Club of PH Garden City, Rotary Club of PH Mid-Town, Rotary Club of PH Central, RC PH Phoenix, and Rotary Club of PH South.
Others are Rotary Club of PH Mother And Child, Rotary Club of Rumuibekwe, Rotary Club of PH Metropolitan, Rotary Club of Esara City, and Rotary Club of Rumuomasi.
Also with them were Rotary Club of Trans Amadi, Rotary Club of Oyigbo, Rotary Club of PH Skyfield, as well as the Rotaract Club of Port Harcourt Silver Valley, and Rotaract Club of Port Harcourt Township.
The Rivers State chapter of the All Progressives Congress Christian Leaders Forum has expressed strong confidence in the capacity of All Progressives Congress (All Progressives Congress) candidates in the state to deliver effective governance if elected into office in the coming elections.
The State Coordinator of the forum, Archbishop Lucky Aroh, made this known during a breakfast and thanksgiving meeting held in Port Harcourt, where leaders gathered to pray for the stability of the party and the safety of its candidates ahead of the 2027 general elections.According to him, the meeting was convened to seek divine intervention for peace, unity, and security among APC candidates across Rivers State.
“Today we are praying for APC stability in Rivers State and the security of our candidates that have been elected to contest the 2027 elections. It is a breakfast meeting,” Aroh said.
He further expressed optimism that the party’s candidates would not disappoint the people if entrusted with leadership responsibilities.
“They will not fail when elected into office. We are here as fathers of the land to let them know, and I must tell you the truth that these are the authentic people that will do well in Rivers State,” he added.
Speaking earlier, the National Chairman of the forum, Professor Olanrewaju Abraham, commended the Rivers State chapter for organizing the programme, noting that the national body of the forum believes strongly in the power of prayer.
He stated that political leadership provides an opportunity to influence society positively, including advancing moral and spiritual values, while expressing confidence that APC candidates at all levels would emerge victorious in the upcoming elections.
Also speaking, the Rivers State Women Leader of the APC, Hon. Darling Amadi, praised the forum for its commitment to prayers for peace, stability, and the protection of party candidates.
Represented by the Deputy Women Leader of the party in the state, she described the initiative as commendable and urged other political and support groups within the party to emulate the gesture in promoting unity and stability.
By: John Bibor, Menebe Emmanuel & Fortune Paibi
Prominent businessman and philanthropist, Elder Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, was celebrated in grand style as he marked his 70th birthday anniversary, with distinguished Nigerians, business leaders, and golf enthusiasts gathering to honour his remarkable contributions to society.
The colourful celebration took place at the Port Harcourt Golf Club, where friends, associates, and well-wishers converged to pay tribute to the revered elder statesman.
Chairman of the occasion, High Chief (Dr.) Ikenna Okafor, described the celebrant as a detribalised Nigerian whose generosity, humility, and commitment to humanity have earned him admiration across different communities and backgrounds.
According to Dr. Okafor, Pa Osagwe-Ogo’s impact on society and the development of his community remains unparalleled. He noted that members of the golfing community are proud to be associated with a father figure who consistently promotes the welfare and well-being of those around him.
He further stated that the history and growth of the Port Harcourt Golf Club cannot be told without acknowledging the significant role played by the celebrant, whose wisdom, encouragement, and leadership have helped sustain the club over the years.
“We are here to celebrate a man who has impacted humanity positively, a peace-loving individual and an epitome of hope for the younger generation. We pray to emulate his virtues. Today, we celebrate a bridge-builder, a trailblazer, and an iconic leader whose life continues to inspire many,” Dr. Okafor said.
He expressed delight at the large turnout of guests from various walks of life, describing it as a testament to the respect and affection Pa Osagwe-Ogo commands within and beyond Rivers State.
In his response, the celebrant, Pa Anthony Osagwe-Ogo, expressed profound gratitude to God for preserving his life and granting him the privilege of attaining the milestone age of 70.
He also thanked members of the Port Harcourt Golf Club, family members, friends, and associates for identifying with him during the celebration and for their unwavering support over the years.
The event featured the cutting of the birthday cake, presentation of awards to deserving members of the club, goodwill messages, and moments of celebration among guests.
The ceremony was attended by notable personalities from the business community, the golfing fraternity, and other sectors, all of whom joined in celebrating the life and legacy of the respected elder statesman.
Rivers State Governor, Sir Siminalayi Fubara, and the Permanent Secretary of the Rivers State Ministry of Information and Communications, Dr. Honour Kuru Sirawoo, have been honoured with awards of recognition in connection with the 2026 Democracy Day celebrations held in Port Harcourt.
The awards, which formed part of activities marking Nigeria’s Democracy Day on June 12, were formally presented on Tuesday at the Ministry of Information and Communications in Port Harcourt.
Presenting the awards was Hon. Abdul Hameed Oladipupo Alli, popularly known as “Mr. Nigeria,” Publisher of Asiwaju Trumpet Magazine and Achievers World International Magazine.
Governor Fubara was recognised for his efforts in sustaining peace, stability, and a conducive political atmospherJohn Bibor / Menebe Emmanuel / Fortune Paibie in Rivers State. The organisers noted that his administration has fostered harmony and strengthened civic participation across the state.
Dr. Sirawoo, on the other hand, was honoured for his exemplary administrative leadership and significant contributions to effective information management within the Ministry of Information and Communications.
Representing Dr. Sirawoo at the presentation ceremony, Dr. Christian Davies received the award on his behalf and expressed gratitude for the recognition. He described the honour as a reflection of Dr. Sirawoo’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, excellence, and dedicated public service.
Dr. Davies assured the organisers that the award would be formally conveyed to the Permanent Secretary.
The event also featured the presentation of commemorative publications highlighting major governance and civic milestones in Rivers State, including Easter celebrations, Workers’ Day activities, the Governor’s third anniversary in office, and Democracy Day programmes.
Organisers of the awards commended the Rivers State administration for what they described as sustained peace, political stability, and improved civic engagement, noting that these achievements have contributed significantly to the state’s continued development.
By: Jessica Sambol